A First World War British Army officer's folding campaign be...

Estimate

£100 - £150

A First World War British Army officer's folding campaign bed, with original red and white striped fabric and a green field-patched repair, with faded War Office patent markings, with striped exterior carry cover with straps, doubling up as pillow hood, named to the original owner Major Castleman, Dorset Yeomanry; sold together with two further folding stands for a fabric basin; and a stool or table, with spare further piece with green fabric and wooden slats, possibly for part of a chair, all again named to Castleman (group) Provenance: Major Edward William Fuidge Castleman (1870-1946). Listed as 2nd Lt with the Dorset Imperial Yeomanry in 1902 and received seniority as a Major from July 1912. His obituary reads, "Born at Chettle on September 9th, 1870. Major Castleman was the elder son of the late Edward Castleman, He became Lord of the Manor of Chettle on the death of his grandmother, when he was 13. As patron of the living, he had presented many rectors for institution. Educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, he played rackets for Harrow and at Cambridge was awarded a degree in law. He served with the Dorset Yeomanry for a great many years, and while with the Yeomanry in the First World War, was wounded at Gallipoli; in 1909, he married Miss Jessie Ann Morris, who died in October 1936. He was the last member of the Castleman family, who have been landowners since 1200. The family lived at Hinton St. Mary for 700 years. Major Castleman leaves no family. Major Castleman had a deep and abiding affection for the county of his birth, and he was familiar with every aspect of Dorset life. A keen sportsman in his younger days, he excelled at cricket and shooting, and was one of the Portman Hunt's staunchest supporters. A magistrate for 40 years. Major Castleman was chairman of the Blandford Bench for a considerable time and his earlier study of the law was a great help to him and his fellow justices in dealing with cases which came before them. Owing to his failing health, he had to resign from the Bench in December 1939. but at the time of his death was still on the supplemental list of magistrates. For 30 years, Major Castleman represented Chettle on the Blandford Rural Council. He retired in September, 1945." (Western Gazette, 22nd March 1946)